WACN Earthquake Relief

Women Awareness Centre Nepal (WACN) | Nepal

In 2015, GO Campaign provided 50 youth and their families with earthquake relief assistance through Women Awareness Centre Nepal. In response to the 2015 Nepal earthquakes, GO Campaign reached out to each of its partners in the country to learn more about how their communities were affected by this devastating natural disaster. Women Awareness Centre Nepal reported that casualties were minimal among the children and women they serve, but that many homes were destroyed. Grant funds were used to provide emergency relief as well as temporary shelter for the children who had been displaced by the earthquakes.

Led by Local Hero Prativa Subedi, WACN was created in 1991 to improve the socio-economic status and self-development capacity of the disadvantaged. Specifically, WACN helps to empower women in rural communities through the creation of economic opportunities through cooperatives. The mission of WACN is to help the women become financially independent and self-sustaining. Prior to the creation of the cooperatives, these women were often relegated to the lowest rank in society, confined to their home and farm. They were discouraged and prevented from participating in society, and girls and women were not able to get out of the vicious cycle of daily household work and poverty. Since joining the cooperatives, members have been able to earn and save money to support their families, allowing them to send their children to school and provide proper nutrition. WACN works with villagers in the Kavrepalanchowk district, Chitwan, Makawanpur and Kathmandu Districts to implement its program, which are tailored to the specific needs of each community.